Your Embroidered Logo: Locate Your Favorite Hat?

You love your navy blue baseball hat! You've had it for years.  Now its time to buy custom embroidered hats to advertise your business. It'd be great if you could get the same style hat as before but you'll settle for a similar style. How do you find your perfect hat?

If you know the manufacturer and style number it should be easy to see if the style is still available. But, what if you don't have that information and the product tag only gives the RN or manufacturer's number?  Considering that the style may not longer be available it might be easier to look for a hat with similar features. But, there are hundreds of different hat styles. What should you check when exploring new styles?

Profile - Is the front profile low, medium or high?

Construction - Is the hat "constructed" (stiff ) or is it unconstructed (not stiff ) in the front?

Closure - What type of closure is used? Hook and loop (Velcro)? Buckle?

Flex Fit - If there's no closure is the headband flexible so it fits a variety of head sizes or is it sized to fit a certain head size?

Material - What type of material is the hat made from? Twill, nylon, bamboo, mesh, performance fabric or some thing else? Is it garment washed, pigment dyed or distressed? Does it have patterned material like camouflage or is it made from high-visibility, reflective safety material?

Detailing - Does it have color detailing? A contrasting underbill? Contrast stitching or some other type of decoration?

Can't find your exact hat? Decide what details are most important to you, try a sample hat and place your order for embroidered hats!

Your Embroidered Logo: In White Thread?

Logos in white thread are "in" but is white the best thread color for your logo? Not necessarily. If your logo was originally created using more than one color and the areas of color overlap then simplifying your logo to one color won't work without loosing some of the logo's clarity.  In addition, you may loose some of its visual dimension, interest and impact depending on the elements within the design.

What about the look of white thread? Embroiderers consider white thread to be the least forgiving thread color because the human eye sees every individual strand or imperfect stitch. If you compare a logo in white thread with the same logo in a darker thread color the darker example will look better because your eye doesn't see as many of the imperfections.

When do all-white logos work? If your logo is simple an all-white logo can provide a refreshing change. If the garment fabric is multi-colored such as a checked shirt then an all-white logo may be easier to read. Finally, if your logo has been the same for a long time it might be good to have a new look.

Your Embroidered Logo: Design

Planning to design your business logo? Need inspiration? Time to pull out your business card? No. Instead google images of well known business logos. Study how different design elements such as the general shape, amount of detail, proportions and number of colors are used. Pay special attention to how the different elements work together to create a single logo. Take note of what you like and what is appropriate for your business and will appeal to your potential customers. Don't copy but use your inspiration to create your own unique, memorable design!

Your Embroidered Logo: Lettering Check

Looking for an embroiderer?  Pay close attention to how they handle text. Check:

• Lettering spacing - letters are cleanly spaced and spacing reflects the the artwork
• Connector threads (single threads between letters) - are barely visible
• Letter heights - Letter heights are even
• Outlines - Outline of letters are even and not jagged
• Thread secure - is secure and bobbin thread (usually white) isn't visible

The quality of an embroidered logo is usually judged by its text.  If your embroidered text looks bad  it will reflect poorly on your business image.

Your Embroidered Logo: Background Color?

How many colors are in your embroidered logo? Two, three? The typical business logo has one to three thread colors. But WAIT, don't forget the shirt color! Unless you plan to wear white shirts most likely you haven't seen how your logo looks against different background colors.

Its important to think what background color will work best for your logo. Whatever you pick can have a big effect on how your logo is perceived. Pick a highly contrasting color and your embroidered logo will stand out well. Pick a slightly different color and your logo will make a more subtle statement. Pick a color that's similar to a color in your logo (many people do this because they associate that color with their business) and your logo will be hard to read. Its your choice. A subtle look can make a classy statement but when you want to be clearly seen think "high contrast".

Your Embroidered Logo: Well-Designed?

Your embroidered business logo should be readable, directed to your potential customers, unique and memorable. But, will that alone give it a professional appearance? No.  It must be well-designed. It should be balanced with the primary focus given to your business name. What is a "balanced" logo?  A logo with a unified look with a good division of space, color and shape between the design elements.

When you look at your logo does your business name command primary attention with the secondary elements such as a tag line or image serving a supporting role? Or, does it have an amateurish, unorganized look with incorrectly sized elements in colors that don't work together?

If your logo has a poor appearance analyze it to understand what the problem is. Delete, resize and reposition elements and adjust the colors (don't forget to consider the background color) until you have an embroidered logo that works for your business and gives your embroidered button down shirts a top-quality, professional appearance!

Your Embroidered Logo: Style Focus - Long Sleeves with Features

Want a polo with a cotton feel and performance features? Try the Port Authority K800LS long sleeve polo shirt.  This 6.5-ounce, 100% cotton polo with an anti-curl collar resists pilling, fading, shrinking and wrinkling.You'll love this shirt's classic good looks and performance features.

Looking for a long sleeve polo shirt with tactical details like mic clips? The CornerStone CS410LS is a 6.6-ounce, moisture-wicking 100% polyester polo.  This polo has reinforced pen pockets, a tag-free label, snag-free fabric, a drop tail to stay tucked in and mic clips at the center placket and shoulders. Its available in sizes XS - 4X in six colors. Add your logo and you'll have custom embroidered long sleeve polo shirts with a professional look!